5 Steps for Keeping That Winter Glow

It’s really not your fault. Your hands are getting itchy, and your lips getting parched. Your cuticles are peeling and your cheeks are sporting that dull, chapped “winter” layer of skin. (Welcome to the next few months…).  So how do you keep a winter glow – read on…

We essentially live in an inhospitable winter environment, and our coping mechanisms, though they may keep us toasty warm, take a toll on our skin. We deal with increased sensitivity, irritation, dryness and redness. These are not terrible in themselves – but they do change what could otherwise be a cozy season into an irritation where we look to find relief.

Unfortunately, our wool clothes make the skin even more itchy and irritated. Steaming showers and baths, though helpful for the moment, dehydrate our skin further. And I’m not even going to get started on what forced air heating in our homes, offices and cars, does to our skin.

Are we going to get rid of our hand knit scarves and cowls, tights and fashionable wool underwear? Abandon our candlelit baths and showers? Turn down the heat till our bones ache for warmth and comfort? Never. But we could be a tad more clever about how we use them. There are choices we can make throughout our day to make the cold weather a bit easier on our delicate skin.

• choose lukewarm showers over steaming baths (except for special nights).
• turn the heat down to a moderate level (so you still may need to wear socks and long sleeves).
• put soft natural fibers like cotton under your wool.
• and absolutely use a humidifier whenever you can – in the family room, bedroom and the office, if appropriate.

As for skin care… well let me share with you some of our favourite ways at Kolya Naturals to hydrate, protect and maintain a winter glow ~

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#1. Exfoliate (but not too much… it can sensitize the skin)
Be gentle. Though I could tell you to leave that protective top layer of skin that is screaming to come off, it would be hypocritical, because we all still do it ourselves. It is very important, however, to make sure to MOISTURIZE and PROTECT the sensitive layers beneath afterwards. Those plump, beautiful skin cells below are delicate and need extra protection from the elements.

Eminence Organics: Strawberry Dermafoliant: buffs away dead skin cells, without being overly abrasive; removes impurities and shrinks pores thereby improving the texture, brightness and appearance of skin.

Dry Brushes: with regular use, these maintain skin softness, and provide many other internal benefits as well: They activate the removal of waste via our lymphatic system (by stimulating the flow of lymph fluid), and increase circulation and oxygenation, thereby reducing cellulite. Overall, they can be quite invigorating, providing sensations of “newness” and “brightness” to your body’s skin.(We love brushes by P.Jentschura & Merben.)

#2. Deep Cleansing
This one step can keep your skin looking refreshed and sparkling. Below are a few trusted options that we do ourselves, regularly:

Hot Mask:
Eminence 8 Greens Phyto – This mask intensely brings circulation to the skin on the face and neck. By increasing blood flow, which helps oxygenate the layers of skin, it creates an otherwise difficult to achieve, natural dewy glow (and don’t worry – the redness from the heat will fade). We have a number of hot masks, but this one is particularly hydrating.
Note: Some of us add Eminence: Red Currant Rapid Infusion Masque to our hot masks, because it has exfoliating enzymes, which cleans the pores even further.

Clay Mask:
Purifying Rose Clay Mask: This DIY staff-inspired recipe was crafted by some staff mates while away in the mountains, with a little wine and a lot of fun. We LOVE this recipe, but careful – the red clay stains towels if using one to remove the mask. Click here for recipe.

#3. Moisturize & Protect to “lock it in”…

You want to keep your skin well hydrated, nourished and protected throughout the day. Working deep within the skins layers, these items re-establish a barrier, and help lock in moisture.

Pure & Simple: Vit. C Serum – brightening to the skin and good for hyperpigmentation, this is high in anti-oxidants and great for healing and repairing the skin. Unlike most gel Vit. C serums, this one is particularly moisturizing because of its creamy consistency.

Odacite Pure Elements: – These drops add an extra boost for dehydrated, dry and devitalized skin. Odacite’s enhanced oils help protect the skin, while giving a customized boost to your cream.Just add a few drops of any Odacite oil to your favourite winter moisturizer.
(For those with breakouts, or oily skin, try Cell Energy .)

#4. Glitter & Glisten:
It may be cold outside and we are bundled up, but sometimes a shoulder peeks out here, or a décolleté is exposed there… so why not let it glow?
For healthy – looking skin, use one of these to generate a shimmer:
For the face:
Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronze – adds sun-kissed radiance and glow
RMS Luminizer – a silvery shimmer for the eyes & cheekbones
For the body: (both of these subtly glisten like micro-diamonds)
Jane Iredale- Golden Shimmer Face & Body Lotion
Eminence- Blueberry Body Shimmer

AND… #5.
A glow is never complete without the sparkle of jewelry – no explanation needed here ☺. {We are over the moon for our newest line of jewelry, Eliasz & Ella.}

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Visit us in-store to grab all of your skincare needs, click here!